Rain-screen apparatus and method

Abstract

A rain-screen apparatus including a substantially rigid air barrier ( 10 ) adapted for attachment to a building structure, a rain-screen panel ( 20 ) adapted for attachment over the air barrier, a spacing member adapted to provide a clearance space ( 14 ) between the air barrier and the rain-screen panel and sealing means adapted to provide substantial pressure equalization between within the clearance space.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A rainscreen apparatus including: a substantially rigid air barrier adapted for attachment to a building structure; a rainscreen panel adapted for attachment over the air barrier; at least one batten for a spacing member adapted to provide a clearance space between the air barrier and the rainscreen panel wherein the clearance space has a width of at least 20 mm; a sealing means adapted to provide substantial pressure equalization within the clearance space; and a rainscreen seal construction including a batten for location on the air barrier, a sealing member having a base and at least two lips projecting from said base, said lips being spaced from each other, a first lip being adapted to make a substantially sealing contact with a rear surface of a first rainscreen panel, and the second lip being adapted to make a substantially sealing contact with the rear surface of a second rainscreen panel, said second panel being located adjacent to the first panel. 
     
     
       2. A rainscreen apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said air barrier includes a sheet comprising a poly polymeric or substantially water repellent cellulosic material and a polyolefin material having a relatively rigid reinforcing means including a mesh of fiberglass, metal or polymeric material laminated to at least one surface of said sheet. 
     
     
       3. A rainscreen apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said air barrier includes a polyolefin material having a relatively rigid reinforcing means including a series of battens laminated to at least one surface of said sheet. 
     
     
       4. A rainscreen apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said first surface has an adhesive provided thereon. 
     
     
       5. A rainscreen apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said second surface has an adhesive provided thereon.